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Residents press Middletown for park maintenance at Stevenson Park and raise water fluoridation concerns
Summary
Residents at the Sept. 15 meeting urged the township to address neglect and vandalism at Stevenson Park, offered volunteer help to clear vines and repair trails, and a separate commenter urged the township to press the local water supplier about fluoride in drinking water; officials said staff will follow up.
Several residents used the public-comment period Sept. 15 to press the township on park maintenance and water-quality questions.
Andrea Abbott, who said she recently moved back to Middletown, described extensive vandalism and neglect at Stevenson Park and adjacent woodlands, cited torn picnic-table benches, painted graffiti, damaged ramps and invasive vines killing trees, and asked who had put in a recently visible path through the woodland. Abbott said the site is "unique" and urged the township to preserve it rather than converting it to sports fields; she offered to organize volunteers for cleanup if the township or DPW would support the effort. "I would like to see those vines off of those trees and I would like to be able to get volunteers who love the place to help Middletown or the DPW to take care of it," Abbott said.
Tara Fleming, a neighbor, echoed concerns about vines and tree overgrowth on Spruce Drive and thanked Abbott for raising the issue. Fleming also raised a separate concern about fluoride in the municipal water supply and said she had been told by the water company that fluoride "comes to Middletown"; staff said a meeting with New Jersey American Water is forthcoming and that township staff will bring the topic to that meeting. "Fluoride is we're still being poisoned with that in our water here," Fleming said; officials responded that they will discuss the matter with the water company.
Paul Jansen asked about repair of a damaged tennis-court fence at Hillside Park and about completion timelines for curb and gutter work on Powell, Chestnut and Portland; staff said park maintenance will be asked to address the fence and that street-works crews are progressing through town and that some projects may extend into the new year.
Township staff acknowledged the park-maintenance concerns and said they would follow up with DPW and relevant departments. Residents offered to organize volunteer activities such as Earth Day cleanups if the township provides support and oversight.
Next steps: staff to follow up with DPW on Stevenson Park and Hillside Park repairs; meet with New Jersey American Water about fluoridation per scheduled meeting; committee to provide contact information for residents offering volunteer support.
